The Turkish Football Federation is investigating more than 150 professional referees for suspected illegal betting on football matches. Of the total number of referees who are now under scrutiny as a result of this case, seven of them whistle in the first or second league and another 15 work as assistants here. This was reported by the AP agency and the BBC television station.
Turkish Football Federation President Ibrahim Haciosmanoglu said investigators found that 371 of the 571 active professional referees had at least one bookmaker account. Of these, 152 referees have ever bet on a football match, which they cannot do from their position. This also applies to the seven main and 15 assistants who manage matches in the Turkish top league.
“We know that Turkish football needs change. It is our duty to lift it up and rid it of this filth.” stated Haciosmanoglu, stating that the union will immediately resolve the situation. At the same time, he promised that the guilty persons would face adequate punishments.
???? Referee scandal in Turkey! ????????
Over 370 referees,were found with betting accounts, and 150+ actively placed bets ????
Earlier, Jose Mourinho called the officiating in Turkey ‘toxic’ for which he faced backlash.
Guess ‘the special one’ had the last laugh ???? pic.twitter.com/B0nvXCk8x4
— DW Sports (@dw_sports) October 27, 2025
These are the findings of a five-year investigation. While some referees bet only once, 42 of them bet on more than a thousand football matches. One arbiter even made 18,227 bets.
“It is both shocking and very sad for Turkish football. But the fact that it has come to light is a hopeful development.” Fenerbahce president Sadettin Saran commented on the situation.
Although specific names were not released, Haciosmanoglu said the list includes seven head referees and 15 assistants from Turkey’s top two leagues.
